So my Mustang has been chillin out in my driveway all weekend, and I went out to start it this morning and it's just not gonna happen.

When I turn the key to the crank position, it makes this god-awful noise, not a normal slow "chug chug chug" noise when a vehicle doesn't want to start, but it's much more fast-paced and has a sort of "crackling" sound to it.

I thought maybe the battery was just dead from sitting all weekend without running, but if I turn to key to the first or second stage (with the electronics and fans and everything) it still runs, so I can still play the radio and everything, it just won't start up. Also I've left it for longer than this without running it before (2 days), and it has started up with no problems, so I'm not sure what the deal is.

It's been a little chilly here (hovering around 30 F all weekend), but it survived the whole winter with much colder temperatures than that, so who knows.

Anyway, I've got nothing on this one. Any thoughts?

 

You need to help us understand the 'crackling' sound better... I hate seeing these posts! So sad to think of this happening... Anyways, give us more of a description.

I mean, the engine is not turning over at all right? The crackling is something else? Maybe a bad coil-on plug, who knows, give us more info.

And keep in mind a dead battery will allow everything else in a car to run, including the radio. A battery has to be completely dead before it prevents that.

 

The problem does not happen to my Mustang, but it happened to my 4 runner. Radio, lights ... were OK, but the car did not start. I took it to Kragen. they tested the battery. It was bad. I changed the battery. It is OK. Take your battery to an auto part store to have it tested to see what happens.

 

Sounds like a bad cell in the battery. I guess it'll start with jumper cables from another vehicle. if so, then all is pointing to the battery deciding to leave-the-building.

 

i think what you hear is the starter, still can be a battery problem

 

Yea agreed, the solenoid is chattering I reckon. As soon as the starter is drawing current the solenoid backs out causing that chattering.

 

Yeah, I'm thinking that noise is probably the starter, the car isn't turning over at all. The first time I tried starting it this morning it sort of cranked, but slowly, and every attempt after that has just been that nasty fast noise. I'm gonna go try boosting it and see what happens.

 

go to you tube and do a search there.
Several helpful people have shot video of their car's problems, and I think I remember seeing one with a similar problem.
Or just shoot and share some video with us. You'll get a much more accurate answer.

BTW, have you installed any aftermarket equipment to your Mustang? New audio equipment, computer terminals, etc, always seems to lead to problems.

 

Get out the ol VOM and go to checking voltages.
Battery voltage at the battery pre and during starting.
Check battery voltage at the starter pre and during starting.
Check for the amount of voltage drop between the battery
and the starter during starting. Lastly, check the internal
resistance of the starter armature and compare it to normal specs.
After thats all checked and proper, take it to autozone
and have them diagnose the problem or the Stealership.

 

The clicking is your starter solenoid. It's trying to engage the starter to the flywheel to turn the engine over, but there isn't enough voltage left in your battery to turn your starter motor. My guess would be battery.